Saturday's action provided multiple contests coming down to the wire, with late-inning heroics ruling the night. Lakeshore shocked Madison with a game-winning bases loaded walk in the 10th inning, while Mankato used a sacrifice fly to take the series opener against Willmar. Kenosha and St. Cloud continue to distance themselves from the rest of the pack in their respected divisions, building their leads for the second half.
Duluth 7, Alexandria 4
The Huskies jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings, and cruised to the series opening victory over Alexandria, advancing to 13-8 in the second half. Leadoff man Cal Stevenson (Nevada) set the table all night with three hits and score twice, while Justin Paulsen (Missouri State) and Alex Wojciechowski (Minnesota-Duluth) each added two hits and two RBIs. Starter Mitchell Bauer (Minnesota State Mankato) turned in a quality start, going seven innings, allowing three runs and five hits, striking out three and becoming victorious in each of his last three starts. Blue Anchors All-Star Jake Merrigan (North Carolina) recorded a solo home run, his fifth of the season, while Trooper Reynolds (Dallas Baptist) hit his third bomb of the year, as Alexandria dropped their second-straight game.
Wisconsin Rapids 5, Kalamazoo 4
Wisconsin Rapids bounced back from their series sweep in Thunder Bay, taking game one by a slim margin against the visiting Growlers, moving to 9-11. Rafters’ 1st baseman Ryan Cleveland (Georgia Southern) provided a big two-run home run, his sixth of the year, powering his team to the victory. Jay Peters (UW-Milwaukee) earned his third victory of the year, giving up a pair of runs over five innings, striking out four, and improving to 3-1. Growlers’ right fielder Kory Brown (Bowling Green) went 2-for-3 with a walk and scored once, as Kalamazoo continues to sit in the cellar in the South Division, losing their eighth consecutive ballgame.
St. Cloud 7, Eau Claire 3
Continuing to build upon their divisional lead, the Rox took care of the visiting Express, resulting in now owning a 2 ½ lead amongst the North for the second half title. Webb Bobo (Southeastern Louisiana) paced the offense tonight, slugging his fourth bomb on the year, knocking in a stellar five RBIs and scoring once. In response to Bobo’s huge night at the plate, his collegiate teammate Domenick Carlini was dominant off the mound, tossing eight innings, allowing just one run on two hits, striking out four and collecting a win for the first time in three starts. Eau Claire’s All-Star Daulton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee) homered for the fourth time this season, while leadoff man Brady Burzynski’s (UW-Stout) solo shot in the 6th inning was his second, as the Express dropped to 10-12.
Kenosha 6, Battle Creek 2
Kenosha used a three-run 4th inning to pull away from Battle Creek in the opener, extending their win streak to three games, holding a two-game lead over La Crosse for the lead. Kingfish 2nd baseman Mitch Gasbarro (Eastern Illinois) paved the way, going a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk, RBI, and run scored. P.J. Schuster Jr. (SIU-Edwardsville) continues to build upon his All-Star 2015 season, throwing seven scoreless innings, giving up four hits and striking out six, moving to 5-3 on the year. Battle Creek’s catcher Niko Pacheco (Cal State Fullerton) provided two RBIs in the losing effort, as the Bombers have now lost four straight contests.
Mankato 7, Willmar 6
Tying the game at six in the 8th inning, the MoonDogs walked off in the 9th inning, shocking Willmar with a late-inning comeback and taking the series opener. Craig Nennig (Ohio State) was the hero tonight, hitting a sacrifice fly, which scored Kyle Weston (James Madison) for the game winning run. Weston propelled Mankato’s offense for the duration of the contest, going 2-for-5 with an RBI, scoring twice. Reliever Chris Butcher (Rio Hondo College) tossed two scoreless innings, sitting down all six batters he faced and recorded his fourth win of the year. Willmar’s Eddie Estrada (Minnesota) continues to be on a tear, going 3-for-5 tonight, totaling 16 hits and 17 RBIs in his last eight games.
La Crosse 12, Green Bay 5
The Loggers continue to show off their league-leading offense, taking down the Bullfrogs in a critical South Division matchup, moving into second place in the standings. La Crosse was led by a duo of Luis Trevino (Navarro College) and Brock Lundquist (Long Beach State) who combined for five hits and eight RBIs. Starter Brandon Lawson (South Florida) was impressive again, surrendering three runs over six innings of work, striking out six, as he moved to 4-1, winning four of his last five starts. Green Bay was carried by Robb Paller (Columbia) and Paul Jacobson (South Dakota State) who each homered and finished with two RBIs, while the Frogs continue to slide, falling into fourth place in the second half.
Lakeshore 3, Madison 2 (10 Innings)
Madison scored a run in the top of the 9th to force extra innings, however Lakeshore was the team celebrating at the end, as Mark Kolozsvary’s (Florida) walk-off walk with the bases loaded gave the Chinooks their tenth win in the second half. Kolozsvary entered the game as a pinch-hitter, but his at-bat proved to be the most critical of the contest, while leadoff man Anthony Massicci (Canisius) added two hits on the night. Reliever Andrew Shaps (Arizona State) gave up the tying, unearned run in the 9th, but tossed the final two innings and was rewarded with his first victory of the year in result of the game-winner. The Mallards’ leadoff man Logan Regnier (Central Michigan) pushed his hitting streak to four games, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk, as Madison now sits three games behind Kenosha for first place.
Waterloo 8, Rochester 6
The Bucks jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings of play, and held off a late Rochester rally to break out of their slump, moving to 11-10. Taylor Lane (Florida) went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while leadoff man Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) extended his hit streak to eight games, hitting his fourth home run, adding two runs and a walk. Waterloo’s started Bryan Polowy (North Central) picked up his first victory, needing only five innings, giving up a run over four hits and striking out five. Rochester’s Mark Contreras (UC-Riverside) and Matt Fiedler (Minnesota) combined for eight hits and three RBIs in the loss, as the Honkers continue a very rough stretch, enduring a five game losing streak, falling into 7th place amongst the North.
Thunder Bay 10, Wisconsin 6 (10 Innings)
Thunder Bay continues to stay hot, scoring four runs in the top of the 10th, and taking the road opener in Wausau, collecting their third straight victory. Leadoff man Jared James (Long Beach State) continues to shine a top the Border Cats’ lineup, going 3-for-6 with three RBIs and scoring once, while Tyler Green (Vanderbilt) added a pair of hits and RBIs, hitting his first home run of the season, and scoring three times. Jimmy Murphy (Fordham) was outstanding out of the bullpen, throwing an amazing 7 1/3 innings of relief, allowing two runs (none earned), five hits, and striking out four, receiving his first win. Woodchucks’ Troy Traxler (Minnesota) went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk, as Wisconsin’s win streak was snapped, owning a .500 record of 10-10.
Sunday’s Schedule
Kalamazoo @ Wisconsin Rapids 12:05 PM
Waterloo @ Rochester 1:05 PM
Duluth @ Alexandria 5:05 PM
Madison @ Lakeshore 5:05 PM
Eau Claire @ St. Cloud 5:05 PM
Thunder Bay @ Wisconsin 5:05 PM
Battle Creek @ Kenosha 5:05 PM
Green Bay @ La Crosse 5:05 PM
Willmar @ Mankato 6:05 PM
